Deep in the Heart of Dallas
The man who walked over to our table was tall. He bent forward, hovering over my
newly delivered Texan steak. “I’m putting $20 in the band’s tip jar to see you do the
chicken dance.” I was left staring dumbfounded as he walked over to the stage, put in
the $20, and made his request to the country band—all before I could utter a response.
When the band began playing the
music, I stood nervously. A painfully
introverted native of Seattle, I knew I
was about to make a fool of myself. It
didn’t take long, however, before half
of the restaurant guests had joined
me on the dance floor in their plaid
shirts, leather boots, and cowboy
hats—though none of us knew what
we were doing. It took most of the
song for us to figure out the steps, but
it was a fun and hilarious process as
we watched each other dance awkwardly out of sync.
That night in Dallas, Texas, I
learned what it felt like to bond
with a community. The people we
meet in the places we visit can be as
much of an attraction as the places
themselves. As you’re planning your
next trip to Dallas, consider visiting
the following places for a chance to
meet new people, have a good time,
and, of course, get a taste of southern
hospitality.

16 ▶ winter 2014

Trail Dust

That memorable evening of dancing
occurred within the walls of Trail
Dust, an authentic Texan restaurant.
As you walk in, you’ll notice that the
walls are covered with the severed
neckties of people who have come
to Trail Dust expecting to dine formally. If having your tie chopped off
doesn’t tell you that this is going to
be a “down-home country experience,” seeing a large metal slide going
through the middle of the restaurant
should give it away.
The live country music, open
dance floor, and delicious southern
steaks combine to make the perfect
Texan dining experience, proving that
the only thing bigger than a Texan’s
heart is his or her stomach.
▶▶

traildust.com

State Fair

With big hearts come big feelings.
For most Texans, the symbol or

monument that represents the heart
and soul of the people is Big Tex.
Standing 52 feet tall, Big Tex has been
the iconic symbol of the State Fair of
Texas since 1952. In October 2012,
Big Tex was destroyed by an internal
electrical fire, initiating a statewide
grieving period. But the Texans
did not stay down long. A new and
improved Big Tex is already standing,
so you can still expect to receive his
warm greeting when visiting the fair.
However, Big Tex certainly isn’t
the only attraction at the fair. After
passing this iconic greeter, you’re sure
to notice the Texas Star, one of the
tallest Ferris wheels in the nation. It’s
a great ride for those who enjoy the
thrill of high altitudes or for those
who just want a great view of the city.
Afterwards, grab some of the fair’s
famous deep-fried food—but don’t
limit yourself to fried chicken. At the
fair you can try anything deep-fried:
deep-fried cotton candy, deep-fried

Coke, deep-fried Doritos pizza, deepfried butter, deep-fried bacon cinnamon rolls, and the list goes on. This
interminable number of deep-fried
foods owes its variety to the spirit of
competition that inspires these crazy
but tasty combinations.
After filling your gut with the
many manifestations of trans fats,
enjoy carnival rides and games, listen to a concert, watch the bird or
bike shows, or reignite your creative
side with pumpkin carving and face
painting. As the largest state fair in
the United States, the State Fair of
Texas really has it all. It even hosts
the rivalry football game between
the University of Oklahoma and the
University of Texas at Austin.
Plan your trip carefully because
the fair is open only during the fall.

Photography by Vittoriofe and Mica Dew

▶▶

Thankfully, for the faint of heart,
this intense display is broken up by
shows of brave children clinging to
the downy wool of sheep that race
around the arena in an event called
Mutton Bustin’. You can also see steer
wrestling, Dash-For-Cash (where a
hoard of children chase after money
strapped to a fleeing calf), tie-down
roping, and cowgirl barrel racing.
The rodeo provides plenty of excitement and entertainment throughout
the year, all steeped in the flavor of
the South.

Treated Like Family

Wherever you go in Dallas—whether
you are at a restaurant, a rodeo, or on
the road asking for directions—you
will be treated like family and receive
a big sincere dose of southern hospitality. As you go about your travels,
enjoying the southern steaks and
picturesque sunsets, don’t be afraid
to make some new friends and maybe
even do the chicken dance.
▶▶

mesquiterodeo.com

—Alex Simmons

bigtex.com

Mesquite ProRodeo
Finally, your trip to Dallas wouldn’t
be complete without a visit to the
Mesquite ProRodeo. There is nothing like sitting up against a rodeoloving southerner and watching dirt
and dung fly into the air as a group
of masochistic cowboys are tossed
around on hyped-up horses and berserk bulls.

Above: To get the full Dallas experience, be sure to go to a rodeo. Top: Dallas features a
thriving arts district, several professional sports teams, and a lively dining scene.